Yarn cutter for coarse gauge knitting machine

ABSTRACT

A single-piece circular cutter element is supported for rotary and reciprocatory movement with the needle cylinder and has integrally formed teeth around its outer periphery. The lower surface of the circular cutter tapers inwardly and downwardly from the teeth to permit the smooth passage of yarn therebeneath. A body yarn feed station is positioned on one side of the machine and an elastic yarn feed is spaced from the body yarn feed station. A guard plate is supported to extend outwardly over the peripheral teeth of the circular cutter and a fabric hold-down plate is fixed on one end of the guard plate and extends in front of the body yarn feed station to hold the fabric down on the needles as the needles move past the body yarn feed station.

[451 May 6, 1975 YARN CUTTER FOR COARSE GAUGE KNITTING MACHINE [75] lnventor: Peter A. Mahler, High Point, NC.

[73] Assignee: H. E. Crawford Co., Inc.,

Kernersville, N.C.

[22] Filed: Aug. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 495,577

3,760,608 9/1973 Lonati 66/140 S Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parrot, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [5 7 ABSTRACT A single-piece circular cutter element is supported for rotary and reciprocatory movement with the needle cylinder and has integrally formed teeth around its outer periphery. The lower surface of the circular cutter tapers inwardly and downwardly from the teeth to permit the smooth passage of yarn therebeneath. A body yarn feed station is positioned on one side of the machine and an elastic yarn feed is spaced from the body yarn feed station. A guard plate is supported to extend outwardly over the peripheral teeth of the circular cutter and a fabric hold-down plate in fixed on one end of the guard plate and extends in front of the body yarn feed station to hold the fabric down on the needles as the needles move past the body yarn feed station.

6 Claims, 8 Drawlng Flgures mmitbum mam SHEEF 3 BF 3 YARN CUTTER FOR COARSE GAUGE KNITTING MACHINE This invention relates generally to a yarn cutter for a coarse gauge circular hosiery knitting machine and more particularly to a cutter for a coarse gauge knitting machine of the type adapted to knit socks in which elastic yarn is incorporated in the cuff portion.

Circular cutter blades having peripheral teeth have been used for some years in ladies fine gauge hosiery machines for cutting the ends of yarns introduced and removed at one or more knitting stations. However. the type of cutters heretofore used have not been used with coarse gauge sock machines because of the inability of the fine gauge cutters to cut various sizes and types of yarns over long periods of use. Coarse gauge sock machines must be able to feed and knit various types of yarn. such as cotton, large and small denier nylon. wool, covered elastic yarns and the like. Also. the feeding of elastic yarns at a location spaced from the body yarn feed station requires that the elastic yarn not be picked up by the teeth on the cutter blade until after the elastic yarn has moved past the body yarn feed station. It is a common practice to form terry loops in portions of many types of coarse gauge socks and this requires knitting the body yarn under the nibs of the sinkers and the terry yarn over the nibs of the sinkers so that the sinkers do not perform their usual function of holding the fabric down on the needles.

With the foregoing in mind. it is an object ofthe present invention to provide a yarn cutter particularly adapted for use with coarse gauge knitting machines of the type normally adapted to knit socks having elastic yarns inlaid in portions thereof and having portions thereof formed with terry loops and which yarn cutter can be easily adapted for use with such machines without requiring extensive modifications thereof.

In accordance with the present invention. a singlepicce circular cutter element is supported for movement with the needle cylinder and with the peripheral teeth thereof being positioned closely adjacent the inside ofthe needle circle. The lower surface of the circular cutter tapers inwardly and downwardly from the teeth to permit the smooth passage of yarn therebeneath when it is being floated in the fabric. A cutter blade is supported substantially opposite the body yarn feed station and contacts the upper surface of the teeth to sever yarns introduced and removed at both the main body feeding station and the elastic yarn feed finger. A guard plate extends outwardly over and protects the yarn from the peripheral teeth between the elastic yarn feed finger and the body yarn feed station and a fabric hold-down plate is integrally formed at the end of the guard plate adjacent the body yarn feed station to hold the fabric down on the needle as they move past the body yarn feed station. Yarn end holding means. in the form of a suction nozzle, is positioned between the body yarn feeding station and the cutter blade for receiving and holding the ends of yarns introduced and removed from active position and as they are cut by the cutter blade. Means is provided for relieving the tension on the elastic yarn as the elastic yarn feed finger is removed from the knitting position so that the suction nozzle will be effective to hold the end of the clastic yarn after it is cut. Means is also provided for varying the vertical position of the circular cutter so as to permit relatively long yarn ends to be formed during the make-up of the sock and relatively short yarn ends to be formed during yarn changes in other portions of the sock being knit so that no additional trimming of yarn ends is required in the sock.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the de scription proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the latch ring of the knitting machine and showing the circular cutter supported therein;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the latch ring shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of FIG. 2 with parts broken away and parts in section for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. I and illustrating the upper portion of the needle cylinder. the sinker head and the circular cutter in cross-section;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the dial plate and circular cutter with a portion of the circular cutter being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic sectional plan view of the dial plate and cutter and illustrating the manner in which an elastic yarn passes over the guard plate;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating the manner in which the elastic yarn is cut as it is drawn beneath the cutter blade by the circular cutter; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view of a portion of the circular cutter and showing the floating yarn guide plate resting on the circular cutter.

Although a particular type of coarse gauge sock knitting machine is illustrated in the drawings. it is to be understood that the yarn cutter of the present invention may be adapted for use with other types of coarse gauge sock knitting machines. The knitting machine includes a needle cylinder 10 (FIG. 4) which supports a circle of vertically movable latch needles ll therein. The needle cylinder [0 is driven by conventional drive means. not shown. for selectively rotating and reciprocating the same. A sinker head 12 is conventionally supported on the upper end of the needle cylinder 12 and supports sinkers [3 for radial movement between the needles 11.

A body yarn feeding station is provided in the latch ring I4 and includes a plurality of yarn feed fingers 15 which are movable between active and inactive position for selectively feeding body yarns Y to the needles. Thrust rods 16 (FIG. 4) are controlled at their ends by suitable cams on a pattern drum. not shown, and their upper ends engage the yarn feed fingers IS. A gap closer plate I7 (FIG. 1) is supported for limited sliding movement in the inner portion of the latch ring 14 and a control rod I8 is connected to one end to at times move the gap closer 17 across the yarn feed station and above the active yarn feed fingers. Yarn guide eyes 20 are supported in a plate 21 (FIG. 4) which is fixed to a bridging portion 22 of the latch ring 14. The yarn guide eyes 20 direct the body yarns Y to the yarn feed fingers l5.

Tension springs 220 are connected at their upper ends to the yarn guide support plate 21 and at their lower ends to the outer ends of the yarn feed fingers 15 to normally urge the same downwardly to the active position. Adjustable stop screws 23 are supported in a cross support 24 and their lower ends are adapted to engage the outer ends of the yarn feed fingers I5 when they are in the lower or active position.

An elastic yarn feed finger 25 (FIG. 3) is provided for at times feeding an elastic yarn E to selected needles. The finger 25 is supported and positioned in spaced apart relationship and in advance of the body yarn feeding station. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the elastic yarn feed finger 25 is positioned approximately I in advance of the body yarn feed station and is moved downwardly inside of the latch ring. The elastic yarn feed finger is supported on the forward end of an operating arm 26, the rear end of which is pivotally supported on a stub shaft 27 and the elastic yarn feed finger 25 is normally urged downwardly to the active position shown in FIG. 3 by a torsion spring 28. The elastic yarn feed finger 25 is at times raised to inoperative position by the upper end of a thrust rod 30 (FIG. 3). the lower end of which is controlled by suitable cams on the pattern drum. not shown.

A vertical drive shaft 31 (FIG. 4) is supported for rotation and reciprocation with the needle cylinder 10 and in a bridging support bearing 32, one end of which is fixed on the latch ring 14. A drive bevel gear 33 is drivingly connected to the vertical shaft 31, such as by a spline connection. so that the shaft 31 may be raised and lowered. in a manner to be presently described. A drive bevel gear 34 (FIG. Zldrivingly mates with the bevel gear 33 and is fixed on the inner end of a drive shaft 35 which is supported for rotation in a bearing support 36, fixed on the latch ring 14. A drive bevel gear 37 is fixed on the outer end of the drive shaft 35 and is adapted to mate with a bevel drive gear. not shown. which is supported on the upper end of a vertical drive shaft. all forming a part of the drive mechanism of the knitting machine. not shown. A cast cover plate 40 extends over the drive bevel gears 33, 34 and 37 and is suitably connected to the bearings support 36.

In accordance with the present invention. a single piece circular cutter. broadly indicated at 41, is fixed on the lower end ofthe vertical drive shaft 31 for rotary and reciprocatory movement with the needle cylinder 10. The circular cutter 41 includes teeth 42 around the outer periphery which are larger and spaced apart further than the teeth on a a circular cutter blade of the type heretofore used in fine gauge ladies hosiery machines. For example, it is preferred that the circular cutter 41 be provided with approximately 90 teeth. The upper surface of the circular cutter 41 is provided with an annular recess 43 (FIG. 5) and the lower surface of the circular cutter tapers inwardly and downwardly from the teeth 42 on the outer periphery to present a smooth lower surface for permitting the smooth passage of float yarns therebeneath, in a manner to be presently described.

A circular dial plate 45 is supported in non-rotating position and with its lower surface in the annular recess 43 of the circular cutter 41. The upper surface of the dial plate 45 extends above the upper level of the circular cutter 41 and an upstanding hub 46 is formed on the dial plate 45 (FIG. 5). This upstanding hub portion 46 (FIG. 4) surrounds a sleeve portion 47 extending downwardly from the bearing 32 to permit vertical movement of the dial plate 45, in a manner to be presently described.

A cutter blade 50 (FIG. 5) is pivotally supported in a yoke 51 on the lower end of a support pin 52. The support pin 52 is supported for vertical sliding move ment in a block 53 and a compression spring 54 normally urges the cutter blade 50 downwardly so that it is resiliently engaging and contacting the upper surface of the peripheral teeth 42 on the circular cutter 41. Any yarns brought around by the circular cutter 41 from either the body yarn feed fingers 15 or the elastic yarn feed finger 25 will be severed as they pass beneath the cutter blade 50.

A guard plate 55 is fixed to the upper surface of the dial plate 45 and extends outwardly over the peripheral teeth 42 on the circular cutter 41 and has an outwardly and downwardly extending portion extending along the outer edge thereof. The guard plate 55 (FIGS. 6 and 7) extends from a position in advance of the elastic yarn feed finger 25 and around to the body yarn feed station.

A fabric hold-down plate 57 is integrally formed at one end to the end of the guard 57 adjacent the body yarn feed station and extends in front of the body yarn feed station and downwardly (FIG. 4] to hold the fabric down on the needles as the needles move past the body yarn feed station. When knitting terry loops in the heel and toe of a sock, the sinkers 13 are moved to an outer position as the needle cylinder reciprocates and as they move past the body yarn feeding station so that the body yarn is laid in front of the nibs. The sinkers 13 are then immediately moved inwardly so that the terry yarn is deposited over the tops of the nibs to form the terry loops. Since the sinkers 13 are not in their normal innrmost position. the raising of the needles to pick up the yarn as the needle cylinder 10 reciprocates causes the fabric to tend to ride up the needles and this can result in drop stitches and the like. The fabric hold-down plate 57 then operates to prevent the fabric from riding up the needles 1], during reciprocatory knitting when terry loops are being formed.

The yarn cutter of the present invention also includes yarn end holding means. in the form of a suction nozzle 60 which is connected to a suitable suction source by a tube 59. The suction nozzle 60 is positioned between the body yarn feeding station and the cutter blade 50 and is spaced above the dial plate 45 for receiving and holding the ends of yarns introduced and removed at the body yarn feeding station and at the elastic yarn feed finger 25. The lower end of the suction nozzle 60 is flared and suitably connected to the upper surface of a guide plate 61 which is fixed on a spacer block 62 to space the lower surface of the guide plate 61 above the upper surface of the dial plate 45 so that yarns may pass therebetween. Guide pins 63 are positioned at opposite ends of the spacer block 62 so that yarns directed beneath the guide plate 61 and to the cutter blade 50 will not be caught and hang on the corners of the spacer block 62.

A floating yarn guide plate 64 (FIG. 8) is pivotally supported at one end on the lower end of a connecting link 65 which is in turn pivotally supported at its upper end on the lower end of a support plate 66. The upper end of the support plate 66 is fixed on the bearing 32 for the vertical drive shaft 31. The lower surface of the floating yarn guide plate 64 rests on the upper surface of the dial plate 45 and between the guard plate 55 and the guide plate 61. The outer end portion of the plate 64 is curved to engage and direct yarns downwardly and beneath the guide plate 61.

An elastic yarn tension device is provided to engage the elastic yarn passing through the elastic yarn feed finger 25 and place the elastic yarn under tension as it is being fed to the needles 11. Means is also included for relieving the tension on the elastic yarn when the elastic yarn feed finger is raised to an inactive position. To this end. tension disks 70 are supported on a threaded post 71 which is fixed at its inner end in the yarn feed finger 25. A compression spring 71 surrounds the post and an adjustable nut 72 is used to vary the tension with which the two disks 70 are pressed together. The elastic yarn E is guided downwardly between the disks 70 and through a guide hole in the post 71. Thus, when the yarn feed finger 25 is in the normal or lowered operative position and the yarn E is being fed thereto, the tension disks 70 apply a predetermined tension to the yarn so that it is stretched to a predetermined degree as it is feed to the needle 11 passing thereby.

The means for relieving the tension on the elastic yarn when the elastic yarn feed finger 25 is raised includes a control wire 74 (FIGS. 2 and 3) the upper end of whichis fixed in the cast cover plate and the lower end of which is supported adjacent and between the tension disks 70. As the elastic yarn feed finger 25 is raised. the wire 74 moves between the tension disks 70 and thereby separates the same so that they no longer engage opposite sides of the elastic yarn E. Thus. the tension between the disks 70 and the needles II is relieved as the elastic yarn E passes over the guard plate 55, beneath the guide plate 61 and is carried around to the cutter 50 where it is severed. as shown in FIG. 7. Since the tension on the elastic yarn is relieved. it is easier for the free end thereof to be sucked up into the suction nozzle 60 and held thereby until it is again introduced to the needles.

Means is also provided for supporting the singlepiece circular cutter 41 and the dial plate for vertical movement relative to the needles so that the length of the severed yarn may be varied and to permit relatively long yarn ends to be formed during the make-up of the sock and relatively short yarn ends to be formed during yarn changes in other portions of the sock. To this end. a control lever 80 is pivotally supported adjacent its forward end in the cover 40 and the rear end thereof is adapted to at times be raised by a thrust rod 81. the lower end of which is controlled by cams on the pattern drum, not shown. A shaft lifting plate 82 loosely surrounds the upper end of the vertical drive shaft 31 and includes an offset portion extending above the control lever 80. An adjustable screw 83 extends downwardly through the plate 82 and is engageable by the control lever 80. A spring support housing 85 is fixed to the cover 40 and encloses a compression spring 86 (FIG. 4) which applies pressure down against the upper end of a plunger 87, engaging the upper end of the vertical drive shaft 31. The spring 86 normally urges the vertical drive shaft 31 and the circular cutter 41 downwardly so that relatively short yarn ends extend upwardly from the fabric to the circular cutter 41 and the cutter blade 50.

The shaft lifting plate 82 extends forwardly and has the upper end of a control rod 88 adjustably secured therein. The lower end of the control rod 88 is fixed in the upper surface of the dial plate 45. When the plate 82 is raised, by raising the control lever 80, the vertical drive shaft 31 and the control rod 88 are raised to thereby move both the circular cutter 41 and the dial plate 45 upwardly so that they are positioned at a higher elevation above the level of the fabric and longer yarn ends are cut with the parts in this position.

When the elastic yarn feed finger 25 is in a raised or inactive position. the elastic yarn E extends therefrom and across the upper surface of the guard plate 55. beneath the guide plate 61 and up into the suction nozzle 60, in substantially the same position as shown in FIG. 7. except that it does not extend around to the cutter blade 50. When the elastic E is introduced to the needles by lowering the feed finger 25. the elastic yarn E moves across the upper surface of the guard plate 55. above the fabric hold-down plate 57, beneath the guide plate 61, and is then cut by the blade 50 as it is brought around to this position by the teeth on the circular cutter 41. As it is cut. the free end of elastic yarn. extending from the suction nozzle 62 to the cutter blade 50, is removed by the suction nozzle 60. in many instances. it is desirable to inlay the elastic yarn in selected wales of the fabric and in alternate courses only. In this case. when the last needle to pick up the elastic yarn in one course moves around the needle circle. the elastic yarn is merely floated beneath the circular cutter 41 and passes beneath the fabric hold-down plate 57. As the elastic yarn is floated from one course to the next course in which it is inlaid. it is stretched and passes beneath the smooth lower surface of the circular cutter 41 until it is again picked up by the first needle in the next successive course.

When the body yarn feed fingers 15 are in inactive position. the corresponding yarn ends Y extend therefrom and up into the suction nozzle 60. When an inactive body yarn feed finger 15 is lowered to the active position. the yarn is picked up by the needles and brought around by the teeth 42 on the cutter 41 to the cutter blade 50 where the yarn is severed. The free end of the yarn is then drawn up into the suction nozzle 60 and removed. When the active body yarn is removed from knitting position. the corresponding yarn feed finger 15 is raised to an inactive position and the yarn is carried around by the teeth 42 of the cutter blade 41 and beneath the floating guide 64 and guide plate 61 to be cut by the cutter blade 50. The yarn end extending from the cutter blade 50 to the feed finger 15 is then drawn up into the suction nozzle 60 and is held therein until it is again desired to knit this particular yarn.

As has been stated. in the knitting of coarse gauge socks. particularly with inlaid elastic in certain parts of the sock and with terry loops being formed on portions of the inner surface. it is necessary to cut and hold various types of yarn. such as cotton. textured nylon. wool. covered elastic and the like. In many instances. a heavy cotton yarn is knit in plated relationship with a relatively fine textured nylon yarn so that the sock will fit a wide variety of sizes. The cutter of the present invention is particularly adapted to cut these types of yarn when they are drawn beneath the cutter blade 50 by the teeth 42 of the circular cutter 41. The present singlepiece cutter element is adapted to cut covered elastic yarns and various sizes of terry yarns.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention. and although specific terms are employed. they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. in a circular knitting machine including a needle cylinder supporting a circle of vertically movable needles, means for selectively rotating and reciprocating said needle cylinder, a yarn feeding station with feed fingers movable between active and inactive positions for selectively feeding body yarns to the needles, an elastic yarn feed finger positioned in spaced apart relationship and in advance of said body yarn feeding station. and a vertical drive shaft movable with said needle cylinder and with its lower end supported in the upper end of said circle of needles. the combination therewith of means for cutting the ends of yarns introduced and removed by said body yarn feed fingers and said elastic yarn feed finger said cutting means comprising a. a single-piece circular cutter fixed on the lower end of said vertical drive shaft for rotary and reciprocatory movement with said needle cylinder. said circular cutter including teeth around the outer periphery and having an annular recess in its upper surface. the lower surface of said circular cutter tapering inwardly and downwardly from the teeth on the outer periphery to permit the smooth passage of yarns therebeneath bv a circular dial plate supported in non-rotating position and in said annular recess in said circular cutter with the upper surface of said dial plate extending above the upper level of said circular cutter. c. a cutter blade supported on said dial plate and substantially opposite said body yarn feed station. said cutter blade contacting the upper surface of said peripheral teeth on said circular cutter to sever yarns introduced and removed at said body yarn feeding station and said elastic yarn feed finger, d. a guard plate fixed to the upper surface of said dial plate and extending outwardly over said peripheral teeth on said circular cutter, said guard plate extending from a position in advance of said elastic yarn feed finger and around to said body yarn feed station. and

. a fabric hold-down plate fixed at one end on the end of said guard plate adjacent said body yarn feed station, said fabric hold-down plate extending in front of said body yarn feed station and downwardly to hold the fabric down on the needles as the needles move past said body yarn feed station. 2. In a circular knitting machine according to claim l including yarn end holding means comprising a suction nozzle positioned between said body yarn feeding station and said cutter blade and spaced above said dial plate for receiving and holding the ends of yarns introduced and removed at said body yarn feeding station and said elastic yarn feed finger.

3. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 including an elastic yarn tension device adapted to engage the elastic yarn passing through said elastic yarn feed finger and place the elastic yarn under tension as it is fed to the needles, and including means for relieving the tension on the elastic yarn when said elastic yarn feed finger is raised to an inactive position.

4. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 3 wherein said tension element comprises a pair of tension disks and resilient means urging the tension disks toward each other to apply pressure against the elastic yarn passing therebetween. and wherein said tension relieving means comprises a wire with one end positioned to move between said tension disks upon move ment of said elastic yarn feed finger to the inactive position. said wire being operative to separate said tension disks so that they no longer engage the elastic yarn passing therebetween to relieve the tension thereon.

5. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 including means for supporting said single-piece circular cutter and said circular dial plate for vertical movement relative to said circle of needles so as to vary the length of the yarn severed and to permit relatively long yarn ends to be formed during the make-up and relatively short yarn ends to be formed during yarn changes in other portions of the sock being knit.

6. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 2 including a guide plate supporting said suction nozzle and spaced above the dial plate for directing yarn between the lower surface of said guide plate and the upper surface ofsaid dial plate. and including a floating yarn guide plate resting on the upper surface of said dial plate and positioned between said guard plate and said guide plate for engaging and directing yarns beneath said guide plate. 

1. In a circular knitting machine including a needle cylinder supporting a circle of vertically movable needles, means for selectively rotating and reciprocating said needle cylinder, a yarn feeding station with feed fingers movable between active and inactive positions for selectively feeding body yarns to the needles, an elastic yarn feed finger positioned in spaced apart relationship and in advance of said body yarn feeding station, and a vertical drive shaft movable with said needle cylinder and with its lower end supported in the upper end of said circle of needles, the combination therewith of means for cutting the ends of yarns introduced and removed by said body yarn feed fingers and said elastic yarn feed finger, said cutting means comprising a. a single-piece circular cutter fixed on the lower end of said vertical drive shaft for rotary and reciprocatory movement with said needle cylinder, said circular cutter including teeth around the outer periphery and having an annular recess in its upper surface, the lower surface of said circular cutter tapering inwardly and downwardly from the teeth on the outer periphery to permit the smooth passage of yarns therebeneath, b. a circular dial plate supported in non-rotating position and in said annular recess in said circular cutter with the upper surface of said dial plate extending above the upper level of said circular cutter, c. a cutter blade supported on said dial plate and substantially opposite said body yarn feed station, said cutter blade contacting the upper surface of Said peripheral teeth on said circular cutter to sever yarns introduced and removed at said body yarn feeding station and said elastic yarn feed finger, d. a guard plate fixed to the upper surface of said dial plate and extending outwardly over said peripheral teeth on said circular cutter, said guard plate extending from a position in advance of said elastic yarn feed finger and around to said body yarn feed station, and e. a fabric hold-down plate fixed at one end on the end of said guard plate adjacent said body yarn feed station, said fabric hold-down plate extending in front of said body yarn feed station and downwardly to hold the fabric down on the needles as the needles move past said body yarn feed station.
 2. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 including yarn end holding means comprising a suction nozzle positioned between said body yarn feeding station and said cutter blade and spaced above said dial plate for receiving and holding the ends of yarns introduced and removed at said body yarn feeding station and said elastic yarn feed finger.
 3. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 including an elastic yarn tension device adapted to engage the elastic yarn passing through said elastic yarn feed finger and place the elastic yarn under tension as it is fed to the needles, and including means for relieving the tension on the elastic yarn when said elastic yarn feed finger is raised to an inactive position.
 4. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 3 wherein said tension element comprises a pair of tension disks and resilient means urging the tension disks toward each other to apply pressure against the elastic yarn passing therebetween, and wherein said tension relieving means comprises a wire with one end positioned to move between said tension disks upon movement of said elastic yarn feed finger to the inactive position, said wire being operative to separate said tension disks so that they no longer engage the elastic yarn passing therebetween to relieve the tension thereon.
 5. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 including means for supporting said single-piece circular cutter and said circular dial plate for vertical movement relative to said circle of needles so as to vary the length of the yarn severed and to permit relatively long yarn ends to be formed during the make-up and relatively short yarn ends to be formed during yarn changes in other portions of the sock being knit.
 6. In a circular knitting machine according to claim 2 including a guide plate supporting said suction nozzle and spaced above the dial plate for directing yarn between the lower surface of said guide plate and the upper surface of said dial plate, and including a floating yarn guide plate resting on the upper surface of said dial plate and positioned between said guard plate and said guide plate for engaging and directing yarns beneath said guide plate. 